Hydraulic steering stabilizer



All@ 19, 1941. M. KATCHER 2,252,772

HYDRAULIC STEERING STABILIZER Filed Aug. 10, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheerl 1 INVENTOR y Morris Izcher BMA/0@ ATTORNEY Aug. 19, 1941. M KATcHER 2,252,772

` HYDRAULIC STEERING STABILIZER Filed Aug. 10, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvENToR ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 19, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HYIDRAULIC STEERING STABILIZER Morris Katcher, New York, N. Y.

Application August 10, 1939, lSerial No. 289,356

12 Claims.

This invention relates primarily to a stabilizer for the steering apparatus of motor vehicles, (although it is not limited to such specific use) and it has for its prime object the provision of means for application to the steering apparatus which will act to maintain the front wheels of the ve hicle in their proper `position to hold the vehicle in a steady course, and prevent socalled shirnmy or wabble of the front wheels.

A further object is to provide mechanism of the above character which can be easily and quickly applied to existing vehicles without the necessity for any material change or alteration in the vehicles, and which is equally applicable to new vehicles without any material structural alteration therein.

Another object is to provide mechanism of the above character so constructed and arranged that the ordinary operation of the-steering apparatus is but little interfered with, but that sudden shocks will be prevented from turning the wheels off their course.

A further object is to provide a device of the above character which will be simple and inexpensive in construction and simple and efficient in operation.

Another object is to provide mechanism of the above character which will, in the event of a tire being suddenly deflated such as by a blo-w out or being thrown while the vehicle is in motion,

act to hold the vehicle to its course, thus greatly reducing, if not entirely eliminating, the possibility of overturning.

This invention diiers materially as far as the piston head construction is concerned from that shown in my pending application, Serial No. 238,946.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon further study of the description and drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of an automobile front axle, wheels and steering rod with the stabilizer mounted in place.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the stabilizer to an enlarged scale, over that of Fig. 1, and shows its attachment to portions of the front axle and steering rod.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through theY piston and a part of the cylinder of the stabilizer with the valve sleeves in normal position and shows one arrangement of liquid passages.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the shock absorber, parts of the cylinder being broken out, the valve sleeves being in normal position.

position due to shock where the piston is forced to the right with reference to the cylinder.

Fig- 6 is a perspective view of the piston shown by itself with the valves and springs removed.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a valve sleeve l shown by itself.

Fig. 8 is a section taken along the line 8 8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a section taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a section taken along the line I0I0 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 11 is a plan view looking along the line II-II of Fig. 6.

Fig. 12 is a section taken similarly to Fig. 10 except that the piston is provided with six passages instead of two, and

Fig. 13 is a section taken similarly to Fig. 5 showing another arrangement of ports and passages, the valve-sleeves being in position due to 3 shock where the piston is forced to the left with reference to the cylinder.

The cylinder I4 of the stabilizer is connected through a universal joint I5 to a bracket I5 on the axle I'I of the automobile. Piston rod Iii is connected through a universal joint I9 to a bracket 20 on steering rod 2I.

One end of cylinder I4, Figs. 2 and 4, is closed by head 22 which is screwed thereon. Filling screw 23 is provided for the introduction of the stabilizer uid. Rigidly attached to head 22 by means of bolt 24 is stud 25. The other end of stud 25 has a hernispherical head 26 which is slidably mounted on a spherical inside surface of sleeve 2l, allowing a limited universal rotation between said head and sleeve, which form partsV ofthe universal joint I5, Fig. 1. The top of head 26 is provided with a hemispherical cup in which ball bearing 28 is mounted. Ball bearing 28 is held pressed against head 26 by means of spring 29, plate 3|] and cap 3|. The particular type of universal joint shown is discussed in my pending application Serial #188,222, now Patent No. 2,178,206, granted October 31, 1939. I wish it to be understood that other types of universal joint are suitable for use in my construction. Sleeve 2'1 has bracket I6 formed thereon. Said bracket is fastened to axle I'I.

The other end of cylinder I4 has screwed thereon a head 34 provided with a lling screw 35.

The outer end of head 34 is threaded to receive a gland 36 provided with packing 31. Piston rod I8 passes through cap 34 and gland 36 with a sliding fit. The outer end of piston rod I8 is threaded to receive screw coupling 3B. The other end of the coupling is fastened to stud 39 of the universal joint I9. Sleeve 40 of joint I9 is attached to bracket 20 which is bolted to steering rod 2|. Joint I9 is similar to joint I5 described above.

'Ihe inner end oi piston rod I8, Figs. 2 and 4-11, is reduced in diameter providing a shoulder 4I against which is set a washer 42 and against said washer is set piston 43. Against the outer end of piston 43 is set washer 44, and the whole assembly is pulled up tight against shoulder 4I by nut 45. Piston 43 is provided with an integral collar 46 having a sliding t with the inside of cylinder I4. the left end of piston 43 clear to its right end and out through washer 44. A radial port o-r openingV 48, to the left of collar` 46, extends from passage 41 to the outside of piston 43. Another passage 56 extends from near the right end of piston 43 clear to its left end and out through washer 42. A radial opening 53 to the right of collar 46 extends from passage 50 to the outside of piston 43. Slidably mounted on piston 43 to the left of collar 46 is a valve sleeve 5I and to the right of said collar is a vvalve sleeve 52. Between sleeve 5I and collar 46 are four coil springs 55 located at quarter points, recesses 56 being provided in the sleeve and collar to receive the ends of said springs. In a similar manner there are four springs 55 between sleeve 52 and collar 46 setting in corresponding recesses 56. Normally said springs holdsleeves 5I and 52 out against washers 42 and 44 respectively. There is a passage 49 through collar 46 between upper recesses 56. Alongside each face of collar 46 is a shoulder 51 which prevents its corresponding valve sleeve, due to a force described hereafter, from coming all the way up against Vthe corresponding face of said collar and thus completely closing off the radial ports 48 and 53. In the case of sleeve 5I, the left shoulder 51 prevents the complete closure of port 48. In the case of sleeve 52, the right shoulder 51 prevents` the complete closure of opening or port 53. There is just enough clearance between the outside of sleeves 5I and 52 and the inside of cylinder I4 to avoid friction drag.

During ordinary steering, the relative motion A passage 41 extends from near This closes oi most of opening 53 almost completely stopping the iiow of liquid from the right of piston 43 to its left causing such an increase of pressure momentarily in the liquid to the right of said piston that there is no relative motion between said piston and cylinder I4 preventing, thereby, sudden swerving of the front wheels. If piston 43 should move suddenly to the left, the reverse of conditions just described would take place, valve sleeve 5I moving to close oil port 43. The momentary pressures built up by shock of sudden incipient turning of the front Wheels is soon relieved by leakage of liquid through either port 48 or port 53 which ports are kept slightly open by shoulders 51.

The modication of my device shown in Fig. 3, comprises a piston 58 having a collar 59.

Slidably mounted on piston 58 to the left of said collar is a valve sleeve 66 and to the right of said collar is a valve sleeve 6I. Shoulder 4I, washers 42 and 44 and nut 45 are placed similarly to that shown in Fig. 4. Collar 59 has a sliding t with the inside of cylinder I4. A passage 62 extends through washer 44 into piston 56 stopping at collar 59. A radial port 63 connects passage 62 with the space alongside piston 58 to the right of collar 59. A passage 64 extends through washer 42 into piston 58 stopping at collar 56. A radial port 65 connects passage 64 with the space alongside piston 58 to the left of collar 59. On the opposite side of piston V58 from passages 62 and 64 is a passage 66 extending from one side of collar 59- to the other and A out through radial ports 61 and 68. Keeping sleeves 60 and 6I backed against washers 42 and 44 respectively are four coil springs 55 on each side of collar 59 and located at quarter points, recesses 56 being provided in the sleeves and collarto receive the ends of the sp-rings. Shoulders 51 are provided to prevent ports 63, 65, 61 and 66 from being entirely closed, for reasons similar to that given above in connection with the construction shown in Fig.Y 4'.

During ordinary steering, the relative motion "i between piston 58 and cylinder I4 is not fast or sudden enough to displace valve sleeves 60 and 6I from their normal position as shown in Fig. 3. If the piston moves, say to the right,

, under these conditions, liquid will flow from between piston 43 and cylinder I4 is not fast or sudden enough to displace valve sleeves 5I and 52 from their normal position as shown in Fig. 4. If the piston moves, say to the right, under theseconditions, liquid will flow from cylinder I4 at rthe right of piston 43 into passage 41, out opening 48 into the annular space between valve` sleeve 52 and collar 46, passing back through recess 56 into passage 49 through collar 46 and out therefrom through another recess 56 into the annular space between collar 46 and sleeve 52, through port 53 into passage 56 and out to the left of piston 43. The reverse ow takes place ifpiston v43 is moved to the left in normal steering.

If piston 43 should move suddenly to the right due, say, to one of the front wheels hitting an obstruction, valve sleeve 52 would assume the position shown in Fig. 5. The liquid not being able to flow fast enough through the openings and passages as described above, it exertspressure against sleeve 52 forcing it to the left.

cylinder I4 at the right of piston 58 into passage 62, out port 63 into the annular space between valve sleeve 6I and collar 59. From` said space, the liquid enters passage 66 through port 68, out

of said passage through port 61, into the annular space between valve Ysleeve 66 and collar 59. From said latter space the liquid passes through port 65 into passage 64 and out through the opening in washer 42 into cylinder I4 to the The reverse flow takes place if piston 58 is moved to the left in normal steering. n

If piston 58 should move suddenly to the right due, say, to one of the front wheels hitting an. obstruction, valve sleeve 6I would Abe pushed against right shoulder 51, substantially closing off port 63 and the flow through passage 62,` causing such an increase of pressure momentarily in the liquid to the right of piston 5 8,

Y, that there is no relative motion between said piston and cylinder I4, preventing, thereby, sud-V den swerving of the front wheels. If piston 58 should move suddenly to the left, theV reverse of conditions just described would take place, valve sleeve y66 moving to closeo-f port 65. The mo'- mentary pressures built up are soon relieved by leakage of liquid through either port 63 or port 65, which ports are kept slightly open by shoulders 51.

Themodication shown in Fig. 12 is similar to that already described except that instead of the piston having only one passage 4l and one passage 50, it has three such passages as 41 and three such passages as 50.

The modification shown in Fig. 13 comprises a piston 69 having a collar l0. Slidably mounted on piston 69 to the left of said collar is a valve sleeve 'il and to the right oi said collar is a valve sleeve l2. Shoulder 4I, washers 42 and 44 and nut 45 are placed similarly to that shown in Fig. 4. Collar` 'I0 has a sliding lit with the inside of cylinder I4. Between collar 'I0 and valve sleeves 'II and 'I2 are springs 55 which normally hold valve sleeves 1I and 'I2 back against washers 42 and 44 respectively. The ends of springs 55 are set in recesses 56 in collar 'lil and valve sleeves 1I and l2. Between the upper pair ol recesses 56 in collar l0 is a passage T3. A pas sage 'I4 extends .through washer 44 into piston 68 stopping at collar l0. A port l5 connects passage i4 with the space alongside of piston 69 to the right of collar 16. Another passage 'i6 extends through washer 42 into piston S9 stopping at collar T6. A radial port 'Il connects passage '56 with the space alongside piston 66 to the left of collar 16. Shoulders 51 are provided to prevent ports 'I5 and 'Il from being entirely closed as explained under similar conditions with the construction shown in Fig. 4.

As explained for the previous constructions, during ordinary steering, the relative motion between piston 69 and cylinder I4 is not fast or sudden enough to displace valve sleeves 'H and 'l2 from their normal positions against washers 42 and 44 respectively. Ii the piston moves, say to -the right, under these conditions liquid will ow from cylinder I4 at the right of piston 69 into passage T4, out port 'I5 into vthe annular space between valve sleeve l2 and collar 16, through passage 'I3 into the annular space between valve sleeve 1| and collar '10, into passage 16 through port 'Il and out said latter passage into the space in cylinder I4 to the left of piston 69. The reverse flow takes place if piston 69 is moved to the left in normal steering.

Upon sudden motion to the left of piston 69,`

valve sleeve 'Il is caused to bear against left shoulder 5l, as shown in Fig. 13, substantially closing off port Il and the ow through passage '16, causing such an increase of pressure momentarily in the liquid to the left of piston 66, that there is no relative motion between said piston and cylinder I4, preventing, thereby, sudden swerving of the front wheels. If piston 69 should move suddenly to the right, the reverse of conditions just described would take place, valve sleeve 'i2 moving to close ofi' port 15. The momentary pressures built up are soon relieved by leakage of liquids through either port 'VI or l5, which ports are kept slightly open by shoulders 5l.

1. A stabilizer for the steering mechanism of a vehicle comprising a liquid containing cylinder and a piston movable therein, said stabilizer adapted for connection between a part of the vehicle stationary with respect to the steering mechanism and the steering mechanism, said piston having an intermediate portion slidably engaging the inside face of the cylinder, the end ameterthan the inside of the cylinder, said piston having a passage extending through it terminating substantially at the right and left faces of said intermediate portion, a valve member slidably mounted on each of said parts and extending substantially to the inside face of the cylinder, and springs normally holding each member toward the outer end of the part on which it is mounted in spaced relation to said intermediate portion, said piston having also a passage extending inward from its right end to the left side of said intermediate portion and another passage extending inward from its left end to the right side of said intermediate portion, the inner end of each passage having a port extending to the space around the piston, each port being substantially adjacent said intermediate portion, the valve members leaving the ports open when said members are in normal position permitting a substantial iiow of liquid past the piston, and substantially closing oi one of said ports substantially to cut ofi the iiow when a sudden relative motion of the piston and the cylinder displaces a member from its normal position.

2. A stabilizer for the steering mechanism of a vehicle comprising a liquid containing cylinder and a piston movable therein, said stabilizer adapted for connection between a part of the vehicle stationary with respect to the steering mechanism and the steering mechanism, said piston having an intermediate portion slidably engaging the inside face of the cylinder, the end parts of the piston, one on each side of said intermediate portion, being of substantially less diameter than the inside of the cylinder, said piston having a passage extending through it terminating substantially at the right and left faces of said intermediate portion, a valve member slidably mounted on each of said parts and extending substantially to the inside face of the cylinder, and springs normally holding each member toward the outer end of the part on which it is mounted in spaced relation to said intermediate portion, said piston also having a passage extending inward from its right end and another passage extending inward from its left end, the inner end of each passage having a port extending to the space around the piston, each port being substantially adjacent said intermediate portion, the valve members leaving the ports open when said members are in normal position permitting a substantial now oi liquid past the piston and substantially closing off one of said ports'substantially to out off the flow when a sudden relative motion of the piston and the cylinder displaces a member from its normal position.

3. A stabilizer for the steering mechanism of a vehicle comprising a liquid containing chamber and a plunger movable therein, said stabilizer adapted for connection between a part of the vehicle stationary with respect to the steering mechanism and the steering mechanism, said plunger having an intermediate portion with its periphery slidably engaging the inside face of the chamber substantially preventing liquid from passing between said periphery and said face, the end parts of the plunger being of less cross-section than said intermediate portion, a valve member slidably mounted on eachof said parts and extending substantially to the inside face of the chamber, said plunger having a plurality of ports and passages extending through its intermediate portion and end parts for leading the iiow of liquid from oneside of the plunger intermediate portion,

to lthe other,1saic1; vali/e.. members in. accordance with their positions opening *andY substantially closing said ports f or respectively permitting or substantially cutting off said flow, and spring meansfor holding the valve members in normal position, said members when in normal position permitting said now, said flow being substantially cut off when a sudden relative motion of the plunger and chamber displaces a member from its normal position.

4. A stabilizer for the steering mechanism ofY a vehicle comprising a liquid containing chamber and a plunger movable therein, said stabilizer adapted for connection between a part of the vehicle stationary with respect to thesteering mechanism and the steering mechanism, said plunger having an intermediate portion with its periphery slidably engaging the inside face of the chamber substantially preventing liquid from passingbetween said periphery and' saidrface, the end parts of the plunger being oi less cross-sectionV than said intermediate portion, a valve member slidablyY mounted Von each of said parts and extending"substantially to the inside face of the chamber, said plunger having a plurality of ports and passages extending through its intermediate portion and end parts for leading the flow of liquid from .one side of the plunger to the other, said .valvemembers when in Vnormal lpositionleaving the ports open and permitting said flow, and spring means `for holding said valve members in normal position, a sudden relative rmotion between the plunger and the chamber displacing the valve member at the forward part of the plunger with respec to the motion, substantially ,closing oli a port thereby and cutting off said ilow. l Y

5. A stabilizer as claimed in claim 3 in ,which the spring means comprises a plurality of helical springs at spaced intervals around the plunger, each spring Yextending `from the intermediate portion of the plunger to a valve member, holding said member in spaced relation to said intermediate portion for normal position, each end of the springs setting in a substantial recess, the recess for one end being provided in the intermediate portion and the recess for the other end being providedl in a valve member.

6. A stabilizer vfor the steering mechanism of a vehicle comprising aliquid containing vcylinder and a piston movable therein, said stabilizer adapted for connection between a part of the vehicle stationary with respect tothe steering mechanism and the steering mechanism, Vsaid piston hav'ing an intermediate portion slidably engaging the inside face of the cylinder, the end parts of the piston being or less diameter than said intermediate portion, a valve member slidably mounted on each of said parts, -said piston having a plurality of passages and ports for leading the flow of liquid from one side of the piston to the other, said ports being located adjacent the sides of said intermediate portion and being substantially closed when the members are brought with their internal faces at their bores over said ports and substantially adjacent said intermediate portion substantially stopping said flow, and permitting said ilow when the members are moved away from said intermediate portion and substantially oil? said ports.

7. A stabilizer as claimed in claim 6 in which there is an annular shoulder on cach of the end parts of the piston adjacent each side of said said shoulders preventing gesarre the valve membersV from completely closing off saidv ports when` they are movedV adjacent saidl intermediate portion, permitting leakage of liquid from one side of the piston to the other.

8. Avstabilizer for the steering mechanism of a vehicle comprising a. liquid containing cylinder and a piston movable therein, Vsaid stabilizer adapted for connection between a part of the vehicle stationary with respect to the steering mechanism and the steering mechanism, said piston having an intermediate portion slidably engaging the inside face of the cylinder, the end parts of the piston, one on each side of said intermediate portion, Vbeing of substantially less diameter than the inside of the cylinder, said piston having a passage extending through it terminating substantially at the right and left faces of saidl intermediate portion, a valve member slidably mounted on each of said parts and extending substantially to the inside face of the cylinder, and springs normally holding each member toward the outer end of the part onV which it is mounted in spaced relation to said intermediate portion, said piston having also a passage extending inward from its right end and` terminating at a port communicating withV the space around the piston to the right of said intermediate portion and another passage extending inward from its left end and terminating at a port communicating with the space around the piston to the left of said intermediate portion, the valve members leaving said ports open when said members are in normal position permitting a substantial flow of liquid past the piston and substantially closing oi one of said ports substantially to cut off the iiow when a sudden relative ,motion of the piston and the cylinder displaces a member from its normal position.

9. A stabilizer as claimed in claim 2 in which the passage extending inward from the right end of the piston and the passage extending inward from the left end of the piston are on substantially opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the piston.

10. A stabilizer as claimed in claim 8 in which the passage extending inward from the right end of the pisto-n and the passage extending inward from the leftend of the piston are on substantially the same side ofthe longitudinal axis of the piston.

11. A stabilizer as claimed in claim 8 in which the passage extending through the piston and terminating substantially at the right and left faces of the intermediate portion is on one 'side of the longitudinal axis of the piston while the other passages which extend from the left and right ends oi the piston are both on substantially the opposite side of said axis from said first passage. o

12. A stabilizer for the steering mechanism of a vehicle comprising a liquid containing cylinder and a plunger movable therein, said stabilizer adapted for connection between a part of the vehicle stationary with respect to the steering mechanism and the steering mechanisrn, said plunger having a portion with its periphery slidably` engaging the inside face of the cylinder substantiallly preventing liquid from passing between said periphery ,and said `face, Valve members adjacent said portion, one on each side thereof and movably mounted with respect to said portion, to move to and from said portion, said members Ybaille 9i uiieetly less outside diameter than the inside diameter of the cylinder to relieve them of friction drag against the cylinder, yet of a su'ciently large outside diameter to stop substantially any flow past their peripheries, said plunger having a plurality of passages extending beyond the valve members for leading the flow` of liquid from one side of the plunger to the other beyond the valve members, said valve members in accordance with their positions substantially opening 10 substantially out off when a sudden relative mo-` l tion of the plunger and cylinder displaces a member from its normal position.

MORRIS KATCHER. 

